Chapter Thirteen
Jade
Stephan got out of the shower before me and I was grateful because I needed a moment to gather myself. He’d washed my hair and I was thankful for the running water because I cried. I had trouble with the cast washing my hair and it didn’t feel like it was done properly, but with Stephan it was done thoroughly how I liked it and I felt fresh.
I heard him at the sink and he opened the screen again to wet his toothbrush then he shut it. Sighing, I turned the water off and heard the sink tap turn on. I knew he wouldn’t have turned it on unless I turned the shower off. Ringing my hair out, I opened the door and stepped out of the shower. Stephan wrapped a towel around me and kissed my forehead then left the bathroom. I went to the sink, brushed my teeth, and put my moisturizer on my body before leaving the bathroom to go down to my room to get some clothes.
As I left the bathroom I stepped on something squishy. I looked down to see red rose petals on the floor making a path to the bed were a bunch on perfectly wrapped presents sat on top of the now made bed. Gazing around the room for Stephan, I frowned when I didn’t see him.
“Stephan. Stephan, where are you.”
He peeked out of the walk-in-wardrobe. “You called.”
Ignoring the presents, I ran to him and threw myself at him. I plastered myself against him and feathered him with kisses. No one had ever done anything like this for me. “How? When?”
“Before I woke you I messaged my mum and she helped.”
“Oh God, your mum knew I was in the shower with you…naked”
The wanker laughed. “Little bit, mum knows we sleep together, so she knows you’ve seen me naked and I you. We are both old enough, she knows the drill.”
I was still horrified, thinking something and seeing it was totally different. “Still…”
“Jade, don’t worry about it. Go open your presents.”
“I have to get dressed first.”
He raised his eyebrow. “I didn’t know you needed clothes to unwrap presents.” He held me against him as he walked back over to the bed filled with presents. That was when I saw it, on the pillow was a black dry cleaning bag.
“Open the bag, Jade.” He gently placed me on the soft petals and I leaned down and undid the dry cleaning bag revealing a shimmering sky blue formal dress. Carefully I slid the dress out of the bag and turned around to see Stephan missing again.
“Stephan.”
Stephan appeared with white underwear. “Here.” He handed me the underwear.
I raised my eyebrow. “You even brought underwear.”
“Oh yeah, it was the funniest thing to shop for. I bought quite a bit I can’t wait to see you in.”
I rolled my eyes. “Uh-huh I just bet you can’t.” Putting on the panties and strapless bra, I couldn’t wait to get back to the dress. Stepping in to it, I asked, “Can you do me up?”
“Sure.”
The zipper slipped up and I leaned back into him as his fingers lingered on my bare shoulders. The dress was a perfect fit. He leaned down under the bed, brought out a shoebox, and opened it, showing me the black strappy high heels. Stephan knelt putting the shoes on and doing up the straps. His hands ran up and down my legs stopping at my upper thigh before he moaned and stood up.
“Presents now.” He sat on the bed and gently placed me on his lap. He reached across and handed me the biggest present. “Open it.”
“I looked at the package searching for a card. “Who is it from? I can’t see a tag.” I glanced at the other presents and couldn’t see tags on any of them. “None have a card or a tag.”
“They’re all from me.”
“What. I didn’t need this many presents. I didn’t expect anything from you.”
“Why wouldn’t you expect anything from me? It’s your birthday. Of course I would get you something. I wanted to spoil you.”
Closing my eyes to stop the tears, I choked out, “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome. Now open them.”
I did. The first was a pink snuggle blanket. It was so soft and was covered with the words: warm, snuggle, and love. The next was a box filled with eight different designer bags. Another held three different purses. Opening my next present I nibbled on my lip, surely he wouldn’t get me…it was a laptop bag and the next was a laptop lap pad. “Stephan, you didn’t.”
He just grinned and handed me a heavy rectangle box.
I was nervous to open it. I didn’t have a laptop. I could never afford one. I’d been using the library computers. Taking a deep breath I opened the heavy present, inside it was a brand new 13-inch MacBook Pro. “Stephan, I can’t accept this.”
“Of course you can. It’s a birthday present. You have to keep everything I get you today.”
“What do you mean everything you get me? This is all you’re giving me for my birthday. You’ve already given me way too much. Usually the only person who gets me presents are my friends. They haven’t ever gotten me anything like what you have. I don’t expect them to.”
“I wanted to get you more, but other people need a chance to get you things.”
By the time I got to the last present I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. No one had ever done anything like Stephan had. I’d never gotten so many presents in my whole life. I would never be able to pay Stephan back for all his gifts and not just for what he bought me, but for the memory he’d given me this morning.
The last was a smaller box and inside was a velvet jeweler’s box. I didn’t own any expensive jewelry. Everything I had I’d bought from the cheap shop. Holding my breath I opened it and inside was a gold charm bracelet. “It’s beautiful.”
“It has everything about us on it. The raindrop from the first time I met you when it was pouring down rain. The jumper because it’s what I made you wear. The rugby ball, from when I saw you again at practice. The bikini because it was when I realized you were going to drive me crazy. The bullet is because you’re a survivor and lastly the heart, because you hold mine.”
“Stephan.” Pulling his head down I kissed him. How could I not fall head over heels for him. I was trying to slowly ease back in with him. I knew after this morning that there was no going back.
*****
Stephan
When I walked into the kitchen with Jade, I knew I was grinning like a loon. I seemed to be finally getting my message through to Jade that I loved her and would do anything for her. I could see her slowly warming to me again. I had decided I needed to up my game and not give her a chance to retreat. So I touched her every time she was close and this morning I showered with her, washing her hair and her amazing body. I knew I’d have a permanent boner if I kept this up but I didn’t care. Jade was worth it.
My family was eagerly waiting to wish Jade a happy birthday. The chef we hired during the week was in the kitchen cooking a special breakfast for Jade. My mum jumped up from the table and pulled Jade into a hug.
“Happy Birthday.” Mum kissed her cheek. “Come. Sit.”
Jade sat and I took the seat next to her.
“Happy birthday, Sis.” Derick winked at Jade.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” my dad added. “I say we eat and then do presents.”
“Presents. You didn’t need to get me anything. I didn’t expect a thing.”
“We wanted to. You’re a part of our family.” My mum smiled and patted Jade’s arm.
I couldn’t help wincing when I saw Jade flinch at my mum words and back away from her touch. Mum had hurt Jade too, I know they’d become close before the school shooting, but since then Jade stayed cleared of Mum. I knew Jade didn’t believe Mum, because it had been said before she was a part of the family and then I’d convinced them all to leave her. That it was best for her safety we didn’t have anything to do with her. Mum hadn’t liked it and even tried talking me out of what I did, but in the end she took my side and left Jade be. Now Jade was not only finding it hard to trust me again and let me back into her heart but the rest of my family too.
“Er, thanks.”
I groaned as I watched her retreat, her spine stiffened and she rolled her shoulders back. A fake smile stretched her lips and her eyes were what scared me the most, they almost became blank, like there was no emotion in her. I’d done this. I’d broken her. My chest ached and a sick feeling came over me each time I saw what I’d done. I was a bastard and didn’t deserve her or a second chance but I’d be damned if I gave up. Gathering her hand I held it in mine, bringing it up I kissed her knuckles. “I love you.” I turned her head so she gazed into my eyes. Ignoring my family I stared at Jade and kissed her hand again. “I love you.” She studied me like she was searching for an answer for a while and everyone was quiet around us. Her shoulders dropped and she squeezed my hand turning from my gaze. I suppose it was the best I’d get.
The food was placed on the table and I reluctantly let her go and helped her with her food. We ate in silence for a moment and the tension was still high in the room. Today was better than yesterday though and yesterday was better than the day before. The first two days Jade came home she refused to eat any meal with the family. She didn’t even come to the rugby game last weekend or watch practice.
“I booked a hair and beauty package for this afternoon,” Mum said. “They’ll be arriving at the house half an hour after your rugby game so I need Jade back by then.”
“Thanks, Evelin. You shouldn’t have.” Jade smiled at my mum. “If I’m going to the rugby game I better go get changed.”
“No, this is your outfit for the day. You have something different for tonight, so don’t change.” I had planned the whole day out. I wanted everything perfect. “You only turn eighteen once. You get to be in a pretty dress today. It’s all part of my plan.”
Jade shook her head. “What are you up to, Stephan?”
“Nothing you have to worry about, little bit.” Jade stared at me and I winked at her. I had been planning her birthday for weeks. I didn’t stop when I left her, I just made it bigger and Cassie helped.
*****
Jade
After breakfast everyone stood and Stephan placed a pink silk blindfold over my eyes and guided me through the house and outside. My heart beat loudly in my chest as I tried to think of what they were doing. Stephan undid the blindfold and Evelin and Lucas stood in front of me.
“Happy birthday.” They stepped out of my line of vision and there with a big black velvet bow was a car. Stephan’s parents had bought me a friggin’ car. I was speechless. It was a red Volkswagen Beetle. My dream car.
Blinking, I was frozen to the spot. Who the hell got their son’s girlfriend a car and not a second hand one but a brand fucking new Beetle. Clearing my dry throat, I gazed at Evelin and Lucas. “I don’t drive.” I should have said thank you or something along those lines but my brain wasn’t functioning properly.
Lucas chuckled and handed me a card. In it was a letter stating I had a hundred paid hours with a driving school, it had over eighty locations. “We made sure it had lots of locations so when you’re at university next year you can still learn.”
All I could do was nod. I turned to Stephan. “It’s a red Beetle.” I remembered telling him once when we first started dating when he asked me about my dream car. I didn’t think he’d remember. “You remembered.”
He shrugged. “Of course I did. Go on. Go look.” He nudged me and taking a deep breath in, I calmed my raging emotions as I walked to the shiny new car. Running my fingers over the hood, I grinned at the smooth surface. Flashes blinded me and I looked up to see Derick taking pictures of me with a camera.
“Thanks. I didn’t need to see.”
“Stop dawdling and get in.”
I opened the driver’s door and stuck my tongue out at Derick. “I’m savoring this.”
“Well savor this quicker, you still have my present.”
“I know how to take my time and enjoy things, unlike you.”
Derick stuck his middle finger up at me and Stephan and his parents chuckled.
“Leave her be, Derick,” Evelin berated her son.
Sitting in the driver’s seat I squealed with joy. “I have a car,” I yelled. Hugging the steering wheel I pressed all the buttons. Today was the best day of my life. There was no way it could get any better.
*****
I was wrong. After Stephan dragged me out of my awesome car, Derick sulked we didn’t have much time for his present. Rolling my eyes I followed Derick out to the back of the house.
“Wait here.” I watched as Derick disappeared into the pool house. He returned with his hands behind his back. He came and stood before me and brought his hand from behind him. There in his hand was a squirming ball of brown fun. “Happy birthday. He is a Chocolate Labrador.”
“Oh. My. God.” I threw myself at Derick and grabbed the little guy. “I love him.” I kissed both Derick’s cheeks before kissing his lips.
My feet left the ground and growls that weren’t the puppy’s came from behind me. “No kissing my brother.”
I turned in Stephan’s arms. “He got me a puppy,” I screamed, “I’ve never had a pet.” I brought the puppy up and his big brown eyes stared into mine and his tongue came out and licked my nose. I was in love. “I love him. He’s so cute.
“What you gonna name him, Sis?” I turned back to Derick hugging my puppy.
“I would have named him Rex, but that doesn’t feel appropriate now.” I walked over to the big grassy area and sat down not caring about my dress.
“No. I don’t think Rex would like a dog being named after him,” Lucas said.
I didn’t even realize Stephan’s parents were still there. Lucas held the camera and he must have turned the bright flash off because I didn’t feel the blinding light.
I watched as the puppy ran around everyone and came back and licked me. He was full of energy and the perfect pet. “Fido.” I’d always wanted a pet and I loved having the cartoon dog name.
“Okay, Fido it is. We’ll go out and get him a collar and name tag before the game.”
I looked up at Stephan. “I can’t leave him to go to the game or the shops. He’s just a baby.”
Stephan’s eyes narrowed behind me and Derick laughed. “Jade, we have things planed. Fido will be fine here. Mum and Dad are home to be with him.”
I clutched Fido to me. I didn’t want to leave him. “You can go to rugby without me. I’ll see you when you get home.”
“Good job, genius. You couldn’t wait until like Christmas or something to give her a puppy?” Stephan growled at Derick.
“Hey, leave Derick alone. Fido is the best present ever. Thanks, Derick.” Derick preened and I laughed when Stephan went for him wrapping his fingers around Derick’s neck and they fell to the ground wrestling. Fido thought it was awesome and joined in jumping on their back and nipping at them.
This was the best birthday I’d ever had.
*****
The rugby game had been embarrassing. Stephan wouldn’t let me get out of my party dress and he carried me to the seats. My friends ooh’d and ahh’d over Stephan’s behavior and all his gifts. I told them about my car and Fido.
I’d spent the afternoon with Evelin in the family room with a group of beauty specialists getting a massage, my hair done, and make-up. Evelin had helped me into a sparkling cream ball gown with gorgeous matching diamante covered shoes. I felt like a princess.
I now sat in a limo with Stephan, who looked scrumptious in a tux. When he’d come to get me I almost jumped him he looked so yummy. “Are you going to tell me where we are going?”
“Nope. It’s a surprise.”
I sat next to him and held his arm. “Thank you so much for today. It’s been amazing.”
He kissed my forehead. “I’m glad you’ve had a great day.”
Tilting my head I kissed him. He looked so good and my day had been so wonderful. I wanted to climb on him and show him just how grateful I was. My tongue searched for his and I leaned in closer, eager for more. I inwardly grinned when his arms came around me and held me to him. I bunched the long dress up my thighs and climbed over his lap.
He eased his mouth from mine. “Little bit, we have to stop.”
Oh God I didn’t want to. He felt so good and my body arched for him. I pouted and he laughed. “I never thought I would see you pout.”
I stuck my tongue out.
“I’d love to go home with you, but we are here. ”
I groaned and buried my face into his neck. How had I not felt the car stop? Groaning, I eased off him. “Where are we?” I checked my hair and knew how I must look.
“I wouldn’t bother, little bit. They’re going to know.” His fingers came up and traced my lip. “These are puffy and your cheeks are flushed.”
“Who are ‘they’?”
“You’ll see. Let’s go.” He opened the door and a man in suit held it open and helped us out.
I looked around to see we were at The Beaches Returned and Services League, it sat almost on the beach. Stephan took my arm and guided me into the RSL. Once inside he took me up the stairs and to double doors. At the door he gathered me to him. “I love you.” He kissed me and I melted against him. With a moan he eased away and opened the door pushing me into the room.
The room was covered in balloons, streamers, and a huge sign that said, Happy Birthday Jade. I gazed around and saw all my friends, Jess and all my old friends, Stephan’s guy friends and all my new friends along with Stephan’s parents, his cousins, Cassie’s parents, and Jess’s mother.
Emotions like I’d never felt before bombarded me: gratitude, amazement, happiness, and a deep love. I couldn’t stop the tears and I didn’t care. I turned back to Stephan. “You did this all for me?”
“Cassie helped.” He nodded over at Cassie. I didn’t turn. I didn’t care that everyone was staring at me, I was too busy gazing at the amazing man in front of me.
“Why did you do this?”
“I love you. I would do anything for you. All I ever want for you is to be safe and happy.”
There it went. My heart was now Stephan’s.